Dentures in Fuquay-Varina

Unlike more permanent solutions for missing teeth which can only be removed by your dentist, dentures are removable and require less procedural work. Dentures restore your ability to eat certain foods, support facial muscles and natural face contours, and may even improve the quality of speech. For people who have lost several teeth, dentures can greatly enhance their beautiful smile. There are several types of dentures, and each one can be catered to your individual needs. Some of this include:

Complete Dentures

This type of denture replaces all teeth and are often given to people who have lost all or most of their natural teeth. A full denture can be placed on either your upper and/or lower jaw.

Immediate — These dentures are inserted immediately after remaining teeth are removed. Their size and shape are based on measurements and models of the patient’s jaw. During the healing period, a patient can wear immediate dentures. These dentures may need to be resized every few months.

Conventional — After the initial healing process of 6-8 weeks, your dentist can fit you with conventional dentures.

Partial Dentures

Partial dentures are placed to fill in spaces between missing teeth, helping prevent other teeth from changing position due to lack of support.

Overdentures

If a person has only a few remaining teeth, overdentures may be fit over teeth and implants, which will provide support from beneath.

Your Personalized Denture Experience

Generally, the entire denture process requires five appointments made over a month-long period.

First, we make an initial diagnosis of your need for dentures.

We make an impression and wax bite to determine your unique jaw dimensions and position.

We do a “try-in” to assure proper shape, fit, and color.

Any minor adjustments needed are made.

We place your final denture.

At first, your dentures will require some patience and getting-used-to. They may feel strange or bulky in your mouth. Take some time to adjust to the sensation of dentures.

That being said, your dentures should easily slide into place. You should never need to force a partial denture into position, as it could damage the clasps.

Initially, we may require you to keep your dentures in all the time. While this may feel uncomfortable or awkward, it will help identify if any pieces need to be adjusted. We can always adjust your dentures to fit more comfortably. Be patient with yourself and with the process.

Avoid eating sticky or very hard foods, and try to chew evenly, so the pressure is distributed along both sides of your mouth.

In time, you may be able to remove dentures at night when you sleep.

Tips For Denture Care And Oral Hygiene

Fold a towel in the sink when handling your denture, so if you drop it, it will be cushioned.

Brush dentures daily to remove food particles and plaque, as well as prevent staining.

Use a denture brush with soft bristles, as hard bristles can damage dentures.

Seek out denture cleaners with the ADA Seal of Acceptance

Give extra attention to cleaning teeth beneath the dentures metal clasps, which are at greater risk for tooth decay.

Do not use toothpaste to clean dentures, as many are too abrasive.

Soak dentures in soaking solutions at night, so they can maintain their shape.

Be sure to continue brushing your gums, tongue, and palate with a soft brush, removing bacteria and stimulating circulation.

Other Common Denture Concerns

Over time, you may need to visit your dentist to re-adjust your dentures. As you age, your mouth changes shape gradually as bone and gum ridges recede and shrink. Loose-fitting dentures can cause sores and infections, so be sure to contact us for an easy adjustment.

If your denture breaks, cracks, or chips, come to us immediately. We can often make adjustments and repairs on the same day with our onsite dental repair. If a repair is complex, we can send your dentures to a special dental laboratory and have them back to you as soon as possible.

Learning to chew with dentures may take practice. Chew slowly, and use both sides of your mouth to evenly distribute pressure across your dentures. Be careful when food is hot, has sharp edges, or is extremely chewy.

Sometimes, dentures can slip when you laugh or cough. Reposition easily by gently biting down and swallowing. If this becomes a problem, please contact us.

Remember, we’re here to walk you through the denture process. Dentures can improve the quality of life by allowing you to eat certain foods again and enhancing your beautiful smile.

Please give us a call or request an appointment at our Fuquay-Varina office by clicking the link below.